Overview

In 'Winning Is the Only Thing', Randy Roberts and James Olson take a hard look at the dark side of American sports. The scandals. The role of organized crime. How politicians and businessmen exploit the Olympics. Who gets rich and who goes broke. Why the fitness craze has nothing to do with fitness. And how TV sports czars like Roone Arledge--inventor of the ""instant replay""--actually dictate how games are played.

Full Product Details

9780801842405

Table of Contents

Reviews

An important and absorbing book...Scholars, students, and the general adult reading public all have much to gain from it. --Arthur McClure, 'History' Probably the best brief treatment of the culture and business of American sports and the warping influence of television, commercialism, nationalism, and narcissism...An ambitious overview, 'Winning Is the Only Thing' treats politico-cultural themes and a host of other subjects in a book that is clearly aimed at both general and scholarly audiences. --Lawrence N. Powell, 'Journal of Southern History' A provocative essay on sports in America. It provides analyses of a multitude of people and trends, it is a synthesis of the best sports writing and sports history of the last several decades, and it offers insight into this significant part of American culture. --'Orlando Sentinel' Reminds us that while the sports world may be seamier than ever, scandals are nothing new. --Felicia E. Halpert, 'Nation' Important reading for anybody who cares about sports. --Tug McGraw

An important and absorbing book... Scholars, students, and the general adult reading public all have much to gain from it. -- Arthur McClure * History * Probably the best brief treatment of the culture and business of American sports and the warping influence of television, commercialism, nationalism, and narcissism... An ambitious overview, Winning Is the Only Thing treats politico-cultural themes and a host of other subjects in a book that is clearly aimed at both general and scholarly audiences. -- Lawrence N. Powell * Journal of Southern History * A provocative essay on sports in America. It provides analyses of a multitude of people and trends, it is a synthesis of the best sports writing and sports history of the last several decades, and it offers insight into this significant part of American culture. * Orlando Sentinel * Reminds us that while the sports world may be seamier than ever, scandals are nothing new. -- Felicia E. Halpert * The Nation *

An important and absorbing book... Scholars, students, and the general adult reading public all have much to gain from it. -- Arthur McClure History Probably the best brief treatment of the culture and business of American sports and the warping influence of television, commercialism, nationalism, and narcissism... An ambitious overview, Winning Is the Only Thing treats politico-cultural themes and a host of other subjects in a book that is clearly aimed at both general and scholarly audiences. -- Lawrence N. Powell Journal of Southern History A provocative essay on sports in America. It provides analyses of a multitude of people and trends, it is a synthesis of the best sports writing and sports history of the last several decades, and it offers insight into this significant part of American culture. Orlando Sentinel Reminds us that while the sports world may be seamier than ever, scandals are nothing new. -- Felicia E. Halpert The Nation

Author Information

James S. Olson is the Texas State University System Regents Professor of History at Sam Houston State University. He has written and edited dozens of books, including Bathsheba's Breast: Women, Cancer, and History, also published by Johns Hopkins.

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